Chicago outdoors: Arlington Cemetery turkey, eagle and sandhills, deer harvest

Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

WILD OF THE WEEK

From a months long tour of the country, Nicholas Kriho emailed on Nov. 28, "My wife Dawne and I have been touring the country for the past two months, and today at Arlington National Cemetery I saw a gorgeous turkey that nobody else seemed to notice. I already had a long lens on to shoot something else, which made me quite happy. I really wasn't expecting to see a turkey there, but I thought it was appropriate for the holidays."

It is, and also another interesting intersection of wild turkeys and an urban/suburban world.

WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).

DALE'S MAILBAG

"We ran outside last Saturday upon hearing yet another wave of sandhill cranes and were amazed see this eagle circling above us." Walter Fyk of Highland Park.

A: That's an interesting intersection of the natural world.

BIG NUMBER CORRECTION

54,661: Preliminary deer harvest during the first part of Illinois’ firearm deer season, up from 53,348 in 2023. Last Sunday had the wrong number.

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

Jan. 8-9: Morris, Earl at (815) 693-8344 or Efatlan@icloud.com

SHOWTIME

Dec. 13-15, Friday-next Sunday: Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo, EAA Grounds, Oshkosh, Wis., icefishexpo.com

The master list of outdoors shows, classes, swap meets and major ice fishing events is at https://chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2024/11/28/outdoors-shows-master-list-for-2025-around-chicago-and-beyond

FISH GATHERINGS

Tuesday, Dec. 10: Wisconsin guide Colin Schlicht on Wisconsin River, Pewaukee and Okauchee lakes, Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies, Inc., North Branch Pizza & Burger Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m.

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Sunday, Dec. 8: Final day, second part of firearm deer season

Friday-next Sunday, Dec. 13-15: Muzzleloader deer season